This blog started off by focussing on NZ's smaller 3rd level airlines, past and present. It has evolved to trying to present some record of NZ's domestic airline operations and some of the larger charter operators, interesting NZ international airliner movements and photos I have taken around the country. Comments, corrections or contributions are welcome, Steve - westland831@gmail.com

02 August 2013

More Problems for Real Tonga's MA60

The latest issue of Travel Memo has more on Real Tonga's MA60 saga

This week the Real Tonga MA60 aircraft got into the air locally for the first time, with Chinese pilots... doing circuits, but it is understood Real Tonga did not want it leaving the ground because it does not have proper supporting documentation for its type acceptance certificate.

But other issues have arisen including...

The training captain sent from China has refused to fly it into Ha’apai because of its short downhill strip, which is far shorter than anything the MA60 is designed to fly into...

Vava’u is the route the government most wants it used on and here the Chinese have only just learned that the runway is also too short (being less than 1200m) so they are seeking Beijing’s permission to fly the 52-seat turboprop there...

Another significant concern that has surfaced is the standard passenger weight to be used in operating the plane. The MA60 weight and balance sheet used for calculations is geared to the standard Chinese weight of 75kg per passenger, which is said to be about 20kg under the Tongan standard weight.